Coin controlled mechanism for gas and similar meters



Dec. 11, 1934. E4 w. SMITH ET AL 1,984,161

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR GAS AND SIMILAR METERS Filed April 30, 1934 Patented Dec. 11, 1934 PATENT OFFICE f COIN CONTRGLLED MIECHANISM 'FOR GAS AND SIMILAR METERS f Ernest William Smith, London, and Arthur Charles, Streatham Vale, London, EnglandA Application April 30,

1934, serial 10.723270 Inl Great Britain June 28, 1932 9 Claims.

This invention relates to coin-actuated mechanism for gas and similar meters wherein the coins are retained in the coin holder by pressure exerted in a direction transverse to that of the 5 movement of a coin entering the coin holder,

which coin actuates a striker to engage a measuring Wheel, and especially to coin holders of the kind adapted to operate With coins of different values and provided with a coin slot for each value.

The invention is especially applicable to coin holders such as are described in the specification of the co-pending application Serial No. 668,950, led May 2, 1933, of which this application is a division in part. 3 a

'I'he invention has for its object to ensure the rejection from the coin holder of a, coin of ysmall size that may accidentally be inserted in a coin slot intended to receive coins Aof large size.

The invention has further for its object to provide means whereby the entry of the smaller size coin into the coin pocket may be prevented.k

The invention has also for its object to provide a construction of mechanism wherebythe accidental insertion of a coin of a size other than that for Which the coin pocket is intended is prevented While a deliberate attempt to insert such a coin by depressing the striker may result, according to the size of the coin, in the coin being received into the coin pocket Without the striker being engaged with the measuring Wheel, so that if the coin holder be rotated the coin is lost without an equivalent supply of the commodity being received.

According to the invention the coin pocket or coin space. adapted to receive a coiniof a determined size has the surface by which pressure is applied to the coin therein formed by a movable element having a movement of limited range distinct from and independent of the movement of the striker and of such shape thatvon the introduction of a coin smaller than the determined size the extent of the movementof the said element is insufficient to result in movement of the striker or to ensureva stable position of the coin under the pressure applied, With the result that the striker remains without movement and the element functions to reject the coin from the coin slot, While on the introduction of a coin of the `determined size the said element is depressed to an extent to result in movement of the striker and is moved into a position to render the pressure no longer effective to reject the coin.

According to the invention, moreover, the movable or ejector element is advantageously pivoted to the striker at a position immediately behind the coin slot and is of such form that itnormally presents an inclined or curved surface to a coin `introduced into the coin slot. l

According to the invention, moreover, the movable element may be provided as a sector plate mounted under the action of a spring and adapted to co-operate with a stop limiting its movement and maintaining it normally in the position to obstruct the entrance of the coin, the edge of the plate being of such form that on the insertion of a coin of the proper value the element is depressed against the action of the opening to exert upon the coin a pressure which is normal to the axis of the coin holder.

According to the invention, moreover, the movable or ejector element forming the bottom of the coin pocket may be constrained to move transversely to the path of a coin entering the coin pocket and during such movement to present a surface opposing the entry into the coin pocket of all coins smaller than the coin for which the coin pocket is intended and, on the insertion into the coin pocketof a vcoin of the correctsize, to move out of the path of the coin under the pressure exerted by the coin.

According to the invention, moreover, the movable element, which may bepivoted to the striker or like member operated by a coin on its entry into the coin pocket, may be constrained against pivotal movement except when the striker plate or equivalent member is moved by a coin of the size for which the coin pocket is intended. 1

According to the invention, also, the movable element may be disposed adjacent 'one of 'the Walls of the coin holder bounding the coin pocket or an equivalent relatively stationary surface, and ther constraint against pivotal movement may be applied by guiding or cam surfaces or slots and co-operating projections or stops provided respectively on the two relatively movable parts. f

Again, according to the invention, the movable element may co-operate with a `stop member adapted to restrict the movement of the element in such manner that when a coin of a size smaller than that for which the coin pocket of the coin holder is intended is pressed into the slot the movable element moves onlyso far as is permitted by the stop member and by reason of itsl form andthe pressure it exerts upon the coin rejects the latter from the slot, While ensuring that, on the insertion through the slot of a coin of the size for which thecoin pocket iskintended, the consequential movement which the movable element makes in common kwith the striker suffices to carry the movable element out of the range of the stop member and to permit the element to complete its movement distinct from that of the striker so that it may take up the position required for the retention of the coin in the coin pocket.

If, therefore, the attempt be made to insert, for example, a half-penny into the slot intended for a penny by deliberate movement of the movable element and the striker to free the element of the restraint imposed by the stop member, while the movable element tends to take up the position for retention oi the coin, by reason of the smaller diameter of the coin, the striker is not moved to the extent to engage or remain in engagement with the measuring wheel. Thus, although the rotation of the coin holder is` ineffective, the coin is discharged into the coin receptacle.

According to the invention, moreover, in the case of a coin holder provided with a striker adapted for a sliding movement in relation to the coin pocket, the movable element is mounted upon the striker in such `manner as to have a limited vmovement in relation thereto and the stop member is mounted upon the coin holder at a position such that when the movable element is caused `to carry out its movement independently of the movement of the striker, such movement is arrested by engagement of the movable element or a `part thereon with the stop member, whereas when the movable element is caused also to partake in the movement of the striker it is carried into a position in which it may execute the movement relatively to the striker without restraint from vthe stop member.

The invention further comprises the constructional features hereinafter described.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a coin holder mechanism provided according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the coin holder partly in section.

Figure 3 is a sectional plan view of the coin holder mechanism.

Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of a modied construction of coin-holder mechanism according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevation corresponding to Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a further modifled construction of coinholder mechanism according to the invention.

In carrying the invention into effect according tothe construction represented in Figures l to 3 of the accompanying drawing, the coin holder mechanism is constructed substantially on the lines described and illustrated in the specification and drawing of application Serial No. 668,950, but means are provided according to the invention to permit of the rejection from the coin holder of a coin of small size accidentally inserted into the slot intended for coins Aof large size.

The transversely disposed part g4 carried by the striker y for the coin of large size, such as a penny, is reduced in thickness to the extent corresponding to the width of the coin `pocket or coin space required to receive a penny, and upon the said part there is pivotally mounted the movable or ejector element lc which serves to take the place of the portion of .the transversely disposed part that has been omitted. The movable or ejector element is conveniently provided as a sector-like plate that is pivoted at k1 to the transversely disposed part in a position adjacent the disc b by which the coin holder is carried. The angular movement of the said element about its pivotal point is determined by a slot k2 struck about the pivotal point as centre, which slot engages a pink:3 also mounted in the transversely disposed part before referred to. The form of the upper or operative edge lc4 of the element 7c is such that when the element is depressed by a coin of the large size to the full extent permitted by the slot and pin the forward part of the upper or operative edge comes to lie flush with the upper surface of the transversely disposed part and the rear part of the said edge curves upwardly with a curvature and in a position that will permit the retention of the large coin within the coin pocket.

An extension h5 of the element below the pivotal point and the slot k2 serves to carry a pin k6 which extends outwardly through the adjacent wall of the coin holder through a slot d2 which follows approximately a curvature struck about the pivotal point of the movable or ejector element as a centre and of a width to accommodate the movement of the pin projecting therethrough resulting from the movement of the penny striker g on the insertion of a penny into the corresponding coin pocket or coin space. The said pin serves for the connection of a helical tension spring l, the free end of which is anchored to a pin l1 disposed towards the upper end and on the outside of the adjacent wall d of the coin holder. The action of the spring thus serves normally to maintain the movable or ejector element lc in its uppermost position in which the lower end of the slot k2 therein engages the cooperating pin k3 carried by the transversely disposed part g4 of the penny striker and in which the upper or operative edge 7c4 of the movable or ejector element lc is now disposed as an inclined or curved surface extending upwardly in the interior of the coin pocket. Thus, on the introduction `of a Shilling or a coin smaller than a penny, the movable or ejector element is not `depressed to the extent necessary to bring the forward part of the operative or upper edge flush vwith the transversely disposed part of the penny striker and thus by the action of the spring Z the element is returned to its upper position with the consequent ejection of the coin. When, however, a penny or the coin for which the slot is intended is introduced into the coin pocket of the coin space, the element is depressed to the extent that the upward reaction is diametrically opposed to the pressure exerted upon the coin by the casing of the coin holder. The coinis thus in a stable position and no tendency exists for its ejection.

Since the action of the helical tension spring l isto-raise the movable or ejector element to its uppermost position in which the pin 7c3 engaged in the slot k2 of the element is disposed at the lower end of slot, the spring serves also for the purpose of maintaining the penny striker g in the uppermost position.

The-transversely disposed part f3 of the Shilling striker f2 is also provided on the outer side with an upwardly extending wall f4 serving to denne the corresponding wall of the penny coin pocket or coin space,. the said upwardly extending wall having an inclined inner face to permit the shilling or like small coin when introduced into its slot to tilt over in the operation of the coin holder so that its upper or outer edge may occupy self.

substantially the same-position as thatof a `penny or corresponding coin disposed inthe penny coin pocket or coin space.A At its forward'end, also, the transversely disposed part f3' of the shilling striker is advantageously recessed to receive a roller ,f5 which facilitates the entryI of a coin into the corresponding coin pocket or recess.

In the modified construction represented in Figures 4 and 5, the insertion into a particular slot of a coin smaller than that for which the slot is intended is prevented by constraining the movable element against pivotal movement until it has rst moved a distance parallel to itself which is greater than that through which the smaller coin accidentally inserted into the slot can move it. In order, according to the invention,`that the movable element k may be constrained at the rst to follow a path of movement parallel to itself or parallel with the coin holder disc b, the lateral wall d of the coin holder adjacent the pivotal axis of the movable element is cut away or slotted to provide a guiding surface d3, which, for example, for the' part that lies above the normal position of the pivotal axis of the movable element lc, is parallel with the coin holder disc b, and below the said axis is formed to clear an arc struck from the pivotalaxis of the movable elementas a centre when the said axis is in its lowermost position as determined by the introduction of a coin of the correct size into the coin pocket. The slot d2 in the lateral wall d is increased in width in a direction parallel with thecoin holder disc b to permit of the'movement of the element Ic parallel to it- The movable element is provided with a stop pin k" disposed above the pivotal axis, which pin contacts with and is constrained in movement by the guiding` surface or slot before referred to.

In the operation of the ejector mechanism, on the insertion into the coin pocket of a coin of less diameterthan that for which the'coin pocket 'is intended, the movement of the ejector element lc and the corresponding striker plate y in a direction parallel with the disc bV of the coin holder is insuicient to carry the stoppin Ic" of the ejector element to the end of the guiding surface or slot d3 which is disposed parallel with the disc of thev coin holder, and: thus the ejector element is constrained from rotation about its pivotal axis. The coin is. therefore inoperative to eifect rotation of the movable or ejector element and isprevented from fully entering into the coin pocket.

When a coin of the correct diameter isintroduced into the coin pocket the ejector element Ic is moved to an extent which carries the stop pin k7 into a position out of contact with that part of the guiding surface or slot cl2 which is parallel with the coin holder disc b and into proximity with that portion of the guiding surface or slot which is struck as an ,arc d3 about the'pivotal axis of the ejector element. The stop pin k7 is thus free to revolve about the pivotal axis, and under the pressure of the advancing coin the ejector element is rotated about itsI axis until the force exerted by the helical spring Z is applied in the direction of the diameter of the coin which lies parallel wth the coin holder disc. The coin is thus retained within the coin holder.'

In the modiiied construction represented in Figure 6 the movable element ic is provided with a stud ks mounted in position adjacent the edge formed as a circular arc, which stud is permitted to extend through a suitable slot d4 provided inthe wall d of the coin holder casing and of a form to permit the movement ofthe stud lc8 following the movements of the movable element; In an ad- 1c and downwardly .along the edge of the slot d4in the wall of the casing to a position at which it is required that the stud kupon the movable vele-- ment should be arrested. The stop element m is at. this point provided with a projection or tooth m1 extending inwardly intothe path of the stud lcs upon the movableelement so that when the movable element is caused to rotate partially about its pivotal axis, the stud k is arrested by the said projection or tooth'fna The stop member m is bounded inthe other direction from the anchorage stud Z1 by an angular or'curved edge or edges m2 which by contacting with a suitable surface, such as the inner surface of the carrier disc b of the coin holder or a mounting lug of the coin `holder casing, determines the extent of angular ing to move it always in the direction in which the i `movable' element k is moved to a position in which the stud its has escaped from the stop member m, in the return movement of the movable element the stud k8 is permitted to press the projection or tooth m1 of the stop member m aside to pass upwardlykto the-initial position. To facilitate this action the edge of the projection or tooth m1 is suitably inclined to the direction or path of movement of the said stud ks.

In the operation of the mechanism, on the accidental insertion into 'the' coin slot of a coin of a` size smaller than that for which the coin pocket is intended, the pressure of the coin'upon 'the movable element lc causes the partial rotation of the latter to the position in which the stud kB thereon is *arrested by the projection or tooth m1 of the stop member m. The coin is thus When a coin of the `size for which the coin pocket is intended is pressed into the slot, the contacting of one portion oi the edge of the coin with the outer end of the slot causes the oppositely disposed portion of the edge of the coin to press upon the movable element k at a position adjacent to and in front of the pivotal axis. By the` pressure thus exerted the striker g is moved downwardly in the coin holder casing in the direction to engage the measuring wheel h and at the same 'time the movable element k is also carried downwardly to an extent which carries the stud 7c8 thereon to aposition in relation to the projection or tooth m1 of the stopmember m, such .that the stud kB maypass in front of the said projection or tooth m1, if necessary by reason of a small,A movement of the stop member m1 against the action of its Spring m3. The striker g being then arrested at the limit of its movement and inv engagement with the measuring wheel h., the movable element 'It is permitted, under the pressure of the coin to continue its movement in rela'- tion to the striker until it has passed into the position in which the slightly convex edge is presented to the coin in a position substantially normal to the slot. 'Ihe coin is thus retained Within the coin pocket of the coin holder between the movable element It and the wall of the enclosing casing 7. Upon the completion of the rotation of the coin holder and the ejection of the coin into the coin container, the striker g and the movable element 7c return to the initial position under the action of the helical spring Z, the stud 7c8 of the movable element lc pressing the projection or tooth m1 of the stop member m aside for the purpose.

Should a coin of a size smaller than that for which the coin pocket is intended be deliberately inserted into the slot, that is to say, should for example, a half-penny be deliberately inserted into a slot intended for a penny by pressure applied through the vcoin upon the movable element 7c adjacent the pivotal axis the movements of the striker g and of the movable element lc, such as hereinbefore described for the coin of the correct size, may be carried out so that the improper coin is retained Within the coin holder pocket. Having regard, however, to the smaller diameter of the improper coin, under the action of the helical spring the striker g and the movable element 7c come to rest in a position in which the striker fails to engage the measuring Wheel h. Thus, on the rotation of the coin holder, While the coin is retained and delivered into the coin container, no measuring operation is effected and no supply of the commodity is secured.

The invention may be carried out in various Waysand may be applied to coin holders provided with a single coin pocket and co-operating with a single coin slot, or to coin holders provided with a plurality of coin pockets co-operating with a corresponding plurality of coin slots, Whether such coin holders are applied to gas meters, electric meters or other like mechanisms.

It Will be understood that the invention 'is not limited to the details of construction hereinbefore described, since these may be varied Without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinbefore set forth. Thus, in the second construction hereinbefore described, the movable element may be mounted for a movement parallel to itself by means of co-operating pins and slots provided respectively on the movable member and in a surface Whiohis stationary relatively thereto, or vice versa and the necessary rotational movement following the parallel movement may be effected by extension of one of the slots in one direction along a curved path which is struck as the arc of a circle about the oppositely disposed pin. In the case where the movable element is provided to be pivotally carried upon a striker plate or like member, the constraint imposing a movement parallel to itself rfollowed by a rotary movement may also be effected in Various Ways. Thus, a pin disposed upon the movable element in determined relation to the pivotal axis may co-operate with a cam or guiding surface formed upon an adjacent relatively stationary member. Alternatively, the pin may be carried by the stationary member and the cam or like surface be formed upon the movable element. Again, the movable element may be provided With a slotof suitable rectilinear form extending at one end into the form of an arc, and such slot may co-operate with a pin in the relatively stationary member. Again, the relatively stationary member and the movable element may each be provided with cam-like surfaces which are formed to impose the required constraint of movement upon the movable element, or the pivotal pin of the movable element may be provided with an extension of rectangular or other angular form which may be constrained to move in a slot of corresponding form in the relatively stationary member, which slot is enlarged at one end into a circular form to permit rotation o1" the pivotal pin when centrally disposed in the said circular portion of the slot.

In the construction involving a stop member, While this is advantageously provided in the form of a paWl or catch mounted under spring action and having a determined normal position in which it is adapted to restrain the movable element in its movement, other forms of stop member may be provided such, for example, as a plunger of suitable form subjected to spring action in such manner that on the return movement of the movable element the plimger may be pressed out of the path of the movable element, or a slotted plate which is mounted under spring action permitting it movement from the normal position in relation to the coin holder. The movable element may be provided of such form as directly to engage With the stop element, or it may carry a pin or like projection adapted for the purpose.

We claim:

1. In coin actuated mechanism for gas and similar meters and other like mechanisms, in which coins inserted into a coin holder are retained by pressure exerted in a direction transverse to that of the movement of the coin entering the coin pocket of the coin holder, Which coin actuates an operating member, the combination with a coin holder having a coin pocket, and a coin-actuated operating member, of an element positioned Within the coin pocket and presenting a coin-engaging surface through which pressure is directly applied to the coin in the coin pocket, means connecting the said element with the operating member such that the element has a rotational movement of limited range independent of the movement of the operating member, and a spring for exerting through the said element pressure upon a coin Within the coin pocket, the said element'being so :formed 'that the coin-'engaging surface normally occupies a position inclined or transverse to the path of entry of the coin into `the coin pocket, such that a coin of the size for which the coin pocket is intended, in entering the coin pocket, will rotate the element into a position to apply pressure to maintain it in the coin pocket and Will move the operating member into an operative position, While a coin of a smaller size will fail to depress the element into the position for retention and will fail to move the operating member into the operative position.

2. In coin actuated mechanism for gas and similar meters and other like mechanisms, a coin holder having a coin pocket, a spring-controlled operating member which is depressed against the action of the spring by a coin introduced into the coin pocket, the coin being retained in the coin pocket by reactionary pressure of the operating member, an element positioned Within the coin pocket and presenting a coin-engaging surface through which the pressure is directly applied to the coin in the coin pocket, which element is connected to the said operating member for imparting movement thereto and is mounted Within the coin holder and in relation to the operating member for a rotational .movement of ,limited range independent of the'movem'eritimparted to theoperat'- ing member, the said element being so formed that the coin-'engaging surface Inormally occupies a position inclined or transverse to the path of entry of the coin intowthe` coin pocket, such that a coin of the size for which thefcoin pocket is intended, in entering the coin pocket, will rotate the element into a position .to apply pressure to maintain it in the `coin pocket andv'vill further cause the elementto impart anfoperative movement 'to the operating member,-=vvhile a coin of Aa smaller size will failto depress the element into the' position for retention and will fail to move the striker into the operative position. l,

3. In coin actuated mechanism :for gas and similar metersand other like mechanisms, a coin f holder having a coin pocket,.an operating member which is moved.. into an operative position by acoin of determined size introduced into the coin pocket, `atom-engaging element positioned Within the coin pocket and mounted in relation to the coin holder for a `rectilinear movement in a direction transverse to the path of entry of the coin into the coin pocket anda rotational movement independent of the rectilinear movement, means connecting the element with theoperating member whereby the element may carry the operating member with it in the rectilinear move-v ment, and a spring' actingupon the element to exert the pressure upon acoin in the coin pocket, the said element being so formed that its coinengaging surface normally occupies a position inclined or transverse to the path of entry of the coin into the coin pocket,fsuch that a coin'of the size for which the coin' pocketis -intended,.in entering the coin pocket`,`wil1 rotate the element into a Yposition to apply pressure to maintain it in the coin pocket and Will'iu'rther. cause the element to impart an operative movement to the operatingmember, whilea coin of a smaller size will fail to depress the element into the position for retention and will fail to move the striker into the operative position.

4. In coin actuated mechanism for gas and similar meters or other like mechanisms, a coin holder having a coin pocket, an operating member which is moved into an operative position by a coin of determined size introduced into the coin pocket, a coin-engaging element positioned within the coin pocket and mounted in relation to the coin holder for a rectilinear movement in a direc-` tion transverse to the path of entry of the coin into the coin pocket .and a rotational movement independent of the rectilinear movement, means connecting the element with the operating member whereby the element may carry the operating member with it in the rectilinear movement, co-operating constraining elements provided respectively upon the element and upon the coin holder for limiting the rotational movement of the element except when the rectilinear movement is executed, and a spring acting upon the element to exert the pressure upon a coin in the coin pocket, the said element being so formed that its coin-engaging surface normally occupies a posi tion inclined or transverse to the path of entry of the coin into the coin pocket, such that the coin of the size for which the coin pocket is intended, in entering the coin pocket, Will rotate the element into a position to apply pressure to maintain it in the coin pocket and Will further cause the element to impart an operative movement to the operating member, while a coin of a smaller size will fail to depress the element into the position'for retentionfand Willffail to lmove the striker intolthe `operative position.

. `5.In coin actuated ymechanism for gas yand similar meters or other like. mechanisms, a coin holder having a 'coin pocket, 'an operating meme ber which is moved intov an loperative vposition by a `coin of determined'size .introduced into the coin pocket, acoin-engagingelement positioned Within the c oin pocket andmounted relation to thek coin holder, for: a rectilinearmoveinent in a. direction transverse to the path of entry of the coin into the coin pocketv and a rotational movement independent of they krectilinear movement, means connecting the 'element with theyoperating `member whereby the element may Ycarry the operatingmember with it in the rectilinear move'f ment, co-operating constraining elements pro-` vided' respectively lupon'the element and uponthe coin holder for preventingjthe rotational ,movement 4of the element except `when the rectilinear movementis executed, and aspring acting upon the element to exert the pressure upon a coin in the `coin pocket,the said element being so yformed that its coin-engagingsurface normally occupies a position inclined or transverse to the path of entry of the coin into thecoin pocket, such that the coin of the size for which the coin pocket is intended, in entering the coin pocket, will rotate the element into a position to apply pressure to maintain it` in the ,coin vpocket `and Willrfurther cause theelement to impart an operative movef ment to the-operatingmember; While a coin of ka smaller size ,Willnfail todepress the element into the position for retention and Will fail to move the striker into theY operative position.

v `6. In coin actuated mechanism for gas and similar meters, in whichjcoins inserted into the coin holder are retained bypressure exerted in a direction transverse to` that of the movement of the coin entering the coin pocket of the coin holder, which coina'ctuates a movable striker to engage a measuring Wheel, the combination with a coin holder having a coin pocket, and a striker, of an element positioned Withinthe coin pocket and having a coin-engaging surface throughl which the pressure is directly applied to a coin in the coin pocket, means connecting the said element with the striker such that the element has a rotational movement of limited range independent of the movement of the striker, and a spring for exerting through the said element the pressure upon a coin Within the coin pocket, the said element being so formed that the coin-engaging surface normally occupies a position inclined or transverse to the path of entry of the coin into the coin pocket such that a coin of the size for Which the coin pocket is intended, in entering the coin pocket, Will rotate the element into a position to apply pressure to maintain it in the coin pocket and Will move the striker into the operative position, While a coin of a smaller size Will fail to vdepress the element into the position for retention and will fail to move the striker into the operative position.

7. In coin actuated mechanism for gas and similar meters, comprising a rotatable coin holder having a coin pocket, a striker mounted in the coin holder for movement in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation, and a spring retaining the striker in an inoperative position such that a coin of determined size inserted into the coin pocket of the coin holder depresses the striker into engagement With a measuring Wheel and the coin is retained by the pressure of the striker exerted in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation, an element pivotally mcunted'u'pon the striker for movement in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the striker and subjected to the action of the spring, and means for limiting the pivotal movement of the said element, the said element being so formed as to present a surface inclined or transverse to the path of entry of a coin into the coin pocket such that a coin of the size for which the coin pocket is intended, in entering the coin pocket, will rotate the element into a position to apply pressure to maintain it in the coin pocket and Will move the striker into the operative position, While a coin of a smaller size Will fail to depress the element into the position for retention and Will fail to move the striker into the operative position. Y

8. In coin actuated mechanism for gas and similar meters, comprisirg a rotatable coin holder having a coin pocket, a striker mounted in the coin holder for movement in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation, and a spring retaining the striker in an inoperativeposition such that a coin of determined size insertedV into the coin pocket of the coin holder depresses the striker into engagement with a measuring wheel and the coin is retained by the pressure of the striker exerted in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation, an element pivotally mounted upon the striker for movement in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the striker and subjected to the action of the spring, oo-operating constraining elements provided respectively upon the element and upon the coin holder for preventing the pivotal movement ofthe said element until movement of the striker has been effected, and means for limiting the pivotal movement of the said element, the said element being so formed as to present a surface inclined or transverse to the path of entry of a coin into the coin pocket such that a coin of the size for which tive position, While a coin'of smaller size Will fail to depress the element into the position for retention and will fail to move the striker into the operative position. r

9. In coin actuated mechanism for gas and similar meters, comprising a rotatable coin holder having a coin pocket, a striker mounted for movement in the coin holder in a direction transverse to. the action of rotation, and a spring retaining the striker in an inoperative position such that a coin of determined size inserted into the coin pocket of the coin holder depresses the striker into engagement With a measuring wheel, an element pivotally mounted upon the striker for movement in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the striker, means for limiting the pivotal movement of the ysaid element which is so formed and mounted under the action of the spring as to present a coinengaging surface inclined or transverse to the path of entry of a coin into the coin pocket, and

a catch resiliently mounted upon the coin holder and engaging the element to arrest the pivotal movement of the element When eieoted in the absence of the movement of the striker, so that a coin of the size for which the coin pocket is intended, in entering the coin pocket, will depress the element and the striker t0 the extent to free the element of the control of the catch and will rotate the element into a position to apply pressure to maintain it in the coin pocket, while a coin of a smaller size will fail to depress the element to free it from the catch and will fail to move the striker.

ERNEST WILLIAM SMITH. ARTHUR CHARLES. 

